OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURE
A housing has a component storage cavity and an open bottom. A door covers and uncovers the open bottom. The door preferably has a latch that can be released with one hand. A window in the door transmits light from the housing. A partition divides the component storage cavity into a lamp section and a control component section. There is an opening through the partition. A removable control component mounting plate is dimensioned to cover the opening and thus become part of the control component section. A removable lamp reflector lies inside the housing behind the window. The mounting plate and reflector preferably each have a latch that can be released with one hand.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/916,235, filed on May 4, 2007, the entire contends of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/286,902 filed May 21, 2007 entitled Lighting Fixture which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis application relates to lighting fixtures, and more particularly, to outdoor lighting fixtures designed for ease of servicing.
Outdoor lighting fixtures are often mounted on high poles. This creates a problem when it becomes time to service the fixture, such as replacing a lamp or ballast. The maintenance person servicing the fixture must climb a ladder or other lift mechanism and normally use a tool and two hands to complete the task, lessening his ability to stabilize himself during the operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is designed to facilitate the servicing of an outdoor lighting fixture without tools, preferably with one hand. A housing has a component storage cavity and an open bottom. A door covers and uncovers the open bottom. The door preferably has a latch that can be released with one hand. A window in the door transmits light from the housing. A partition divides the component storage cavity into a lamp section and a control component section. There is an opening through the partition. A removable control component mounting plate is dimensioned to cover the opening and thus become part of the control component section. A removable lamp reflector lies inside the housing behind the window. The mounting plate and reflector preferably each have a latch that can be released with one hand.
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In summary the lighting fixture is designed so it can be serviced without tools and preferably by the use of one hand. Specifically, a maintenance person first swings open door 12 by deflecting spring latch keeper 31 to expose the interior of the fixture. Second, reflector 20 is removed by deflecting spring clip 24 and tilting its back down and away from housing as shown in
The invention also contemplates use of fewer than all the described features that make toolless one hand maneuvers possible.
Claims
1. A lighting fixture comprising:
- a housing having a component storage cavity and an open bottom;
- a door covering and uncovering the open bottom;
- a window in the door for transmission of light from the housing;
- a partition that divides the component storage cavity into two sections;
- an opening through the partition between the sections;
- a removable control component mounting plate dimensioned to cover the opening;
- releasable means for retaining the mounting plate to cover the opening; and
- a removable lamp reflector inside the housing behind the window.
2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, in which the door is hinged at one end and latched at the other end.
3. The lighting fixture of claim 2, in which the door is latched by a spring clip.
4. The lighting fixture of claim 1, in which one edge of the mounting plate is bent so one part of it lies on one side of the partition and another part lies on the other side of the partition.
5. The lighting fixture of claim 4, in which the mounting plate is secured to the partition by a fastener.
6. The lighting fixture of claim 5, in which the fastener has a knob suitable for gripping and removing the mounting plate from the housing.
7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, in which the sections function as a lamp section and a control component section.
8. The lighting fixture of claim 7, in which the lamp reflector is located in the light section.
9. The lighting fixture of claim 1, in which the bottom of the mounting plate overlaps the bottom edge of the opening, the bottom of the mounting plate is bent so one part of it lies on one side of the partition and another part lies on the other side of the partition, and the bottom of the mounting plate when unrestrained is free to swing toward the door and slide upwardly.
10. The lighting fixture of claim 1, in which the bottom of the mounting plate overlaps the bottom edge of the opening, the bottom of the mounting plate is bent so one part of it lies on one side of the partition and another part lies on the other side of the partition, and the bottom of the mounting plate is narrower than opening.
11. A method of servicing the light fixture of claim 5 comprising:
- opening the door;
- removing the lamp reflector from the cavity;
- loosening the fastener;
- swinging the mounting plate toward the door;
- sliding the mounting plate upward the door; and
- removing the mounting plate from the cavity.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2009
Patent Grant number: 7866854
Inventors: William Orellana (Palmdale, CA), Angel Orellana (Los Angeles, CA), Henry Avila (Palmdale, CA)
Application Number: 12/113,123
International Classification: F21V 7/00 (20060101);